Venice of the Orient redux

MCKINLEY HILL, Philippines—The CNMI and Guam media’s six-day, five-night familiarization tour aboard the SuperStar Virgo concluded last Saturday with a visit to the Venice Grand Canal Mall.

Part of Resorts World Manila’s impressive development of the old and expansive Fort Bonifacio complex, the Venice Grand Canal Mall features the country’s first man-made grand canal with gondola rides.

Media from the Marianas as well as Stay and Cruise promotion partners braved the scorching heat of the midday sun to enjoy the 20-minute gondola ride.

The grand canal right in the heart of Bonifacio Global City is a throwback to a time when Manila had dozens of canals that gave the city its Venice of the Orient nickname.

Unfortunately, the Americans, fearing the waterways were breeding ground for dengue-carrying mosquitos, covered them all up.

After the brief romantic boat ride along the grand canal, members of the group then Sharpeed their significant other’s name in a padlock in an act of eternal fealty before locking it in the aptly named Amore Bridge.

Lunch was at Buddy’s where the group pigged out on pancit Lucban and Lucban longganisa, among others, before washing them all down with a glass—or two—of sago gulaman or pearl drink.

In the evening, dinner was at Impressions at Maxims Hotel. The high-end restaurant lived up to its name with award-winning chef Cyrille Soene pulling out all the stops with a menu that featured lamb cooked for 12 hours served oriental style with rissonis, tomato confit, and cucumber slaw.

During the penultimate day of the cruise on Friday, which made port calls on Currimao in Ilocos Norte, Kaohsiung in Taiwan, and Hong Kong, the group was given a very comprehensive tour of St. Luke’s Medical Center and BGC.

During an interview with St. Luke’s SVP and Marketing Group and Indutsry Relations head Jo C. Aguilar, she revealed that their facility is the newest member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, which is the leading hospital in the U.S.

She said the agreement gives St. Luke’s access to the latest Mayo Clinic knowledge and promotes collaboration among physicians.

Next stop was the Uptown Mall cinemas where the group was treated to a special screening of the live-action version of Beauty and the Beast. There, members of the group plopped themselves in reclining love seats and were spoiled with bottomless drinks and popcorn with cinema butlers at their beck and call.

Dinner was a few escalator rides and traversing a walkway away at Livestock Restaurant, which is probably home to the most tender and crunchiest crispy pata this side of the Pacific.

A quick trip to Tim Hortons for doughnuts and coffee was followed by drinks and some dancing at Revel at the Palace, which is one of BGC’s newest party scenes.

Majority of the tour participants flew back to the CNMI and Guam early Sunday morning.

Resorts World Manila’s Stay and Cruise promotion starts at just $655 per person. It is inclusive of a stay at two RWM hotels—Winford Hotel and Casino and Belmont—and a cruise aboard SuperStar Virgo as the luxury liner makes Manila its new homeport from March 19 to May 23.

Remaining sailing dates are March 29, April 3, 8, 13, 18, 23, and 28, and May 3, 8, 13, 18, and 23.

Guam and Saipan residents can directly avail of the Stay and Cruise package using credit card payments through the SSV RWM BUNDLE option at www.rwmanila.com/stayandcruise. The package is inclusive of two-night accommodations at Resorts World Manila hotels.

Those interested can also call John Hagemann at +63917878583/john.hagemann@rwmanila.com or Janine Chua at +639178788576/ janine.chua@rwmanila for more details. For other inquiries and reservations, contact Tourist/Visitor Hotline at (02) 908-8833 or visit www.rwmanila.com.